$550 Don't really know much about it so any info would be appreciated. The things that I know are wrong:
windshield wipers and driver side turn signals don't work (front signal is busted)
odometer is stuck at 129000 miles
the up arrow light comes on when i start the car but goes off when I start driving
leaking a little bit of oil

 

Its a 1988 volvo 240.

 

Wipers may be something as simple as a fuse,


check the panel for any that are blown.

the up arrow light is the overdrive for the transmission, (button on the side of the shifter)

mine does that sometimes too, the light comes on for a second then goes off, no drama if the overdrive clicks on and off when you press the button.

I'v found also the light comes on if the transmission is low on oil, warm the car up or drive it for a bit and check the fluid level, may be as simple as topping the oil up a bit.

 

I'm really new at this. How do I know if the fuse is blown just replace them one by one and see if it solves the problem? Also I noticed that my car hunts while idling. It starts pretty normal dies down really low and then jump to about 1000 RPM. I Know theres an exhaust leak that I'm fixing tomorrow. Could this be causing that? Thanks again.

 

Well on my RHD cars the fuse panel is down the left hand side of the passenger side door, under the dash, I guess it is the opposite for LHD cars


the fuses have a little thin strip of gold or silver metal on them, if it is broken in half the fuse has blown.

When you remove the fuse panel it is written on the reverse what each one is for, important to replace them with the same colour, or value fuse.

Best to pickup a packet of various size fuses if any are blown to have them on hand etc..


Mine both idle just a little under 1000, but when you start it, it goes up to about 1500 for a second then back down to 900-1000

when was it last serviced? oil change etc?

That's probably a good starting point with someone who is knowledgeable about Volvos

 

and have no clue of its history so yes I definitely need to take it in for a tune up. I only paid 550 so I'm prepared to put another 1000 into it just to make it safe to drive. I replacing the exhaust system today and taking it to a shop recommended by a friend tomorrow to get an idea of how much work its actually going to need.

 

Man you got a great deal...! Nice wheels and the interior looks great.....NICE.

A thousand in maintenance/repairs....that is a great investment.

I would recommend the following:

plugs......................8 $
wire set..................27 to 45 & aftermarket or oem your choice
cap & rotor.............20 $
distributor...............22 $

oil & filter................20 $ do it yourself
tranny flush fill.........35 $ including a cheap squeeze type pump to fill from tranny dip stick
rad flush fill.............16 $
thermostat..............9 $
A TOTAL OF............137.00 dollars....a happy engine? priceless.

EXTRA (MY POINT OF VIEW) service repair. With the 1k in hand.

02 sensor...........60 $
intank fuel pump..55 $ problematic if old and no filter left on the old pump
Fuel filter...........22 $ definitely
brake pads/rotors.89 $ you might not need rotors just pads. don't turn them cheaper to buy new....23 a piece/economy ones.
water pump.........45$
fuel pressure reg...41$ problematic
slave cyl check valve...9 $ problematic
climate check valve..7$ a must atop of intake manifold. white & black and a little hose to firewall.
intake & exhaust gasket. 32$ optional
differential flush fill...10$ very very easy to do...unscrew cap and fill till overflows.
HEAD GASKET....39 $.....YOU CAN DO THIS. WILL TAKE AROUND 6 hours if never done one. but will need:
torque wrench
head bolts
10,11,12 all the way to 17mm wrench and sockets
breaker bar
pliers
hex set
rags
bucket for oil and coolant
Haynes or Chilton repair book.
LOTS OF COFFEE OR REDBULL OR MONSTER OR EXCUSE TO GET AWAY FROM WIFE.

TOTAL: 466 + 130= $596.00 +- (ALL WORK DONE YOURSELF) aftermarket/some oem